Here’s who Duke basketball will play exhibition games against in 2025
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Duke will host UCF on Oct. 21 in an NCAA-approved exhibition at Cameron.
- Former Duke star Johnny Dawkins returns as UCF coach to face Jon Scheyer's team.
- NCAA rules now allow two Division I exhibitions without requiring waivers.
New NCAA rules allow Division I college basketball teams to play two exhibitions against one another and Duke will use one to bring a former star back to campus.
The Blue Devils will face UCF, coached by former Duke all-American guard Johnny Dawkins, on Oct. 21 at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Duke announced on Thursday morning.
The event is called the Brotherhood Run, a name the program used last year when former Duke all-American guard Bobby Hurley brought his Arizona State team to Cameron for a preseason exhibition with the Blue Devils.
In years past, Division I teams needed waivers to hold exhibition games against one another. Usually that meant donating proceeds to charity. But the NCAA voted earlier this year to allow teams to play two exhibitions.
Duke’s second preseason exhibition will be at Tennessee on Oct. 26.
But first, Duke coach Jon Scheyer will lead his team against UCF and Dawkins, who was a Duke assistant coach when Scheyer’s playing career began in 2006.
“It means a lot to welcome Johnny Dawkins and UCF to Cameron for this exhibition,” Scheyer in a statement. “Johnny is truly one of the pillars of Duke basketball. His jersey hangs in the rafters, and his legacy is felt every day within our program. I had the privilege of playing my first two years here with him on the coaching staff, and I learned so much from the way he leads with integrity and humility. This game will be a great test for both teams as we gear up for the season and we get a chance to play in front of our fans in Cameron.”
Dawkins played for the Blue Devils from 1982-86, ending his Duke career as the program’s all-time scoring leader with 2,556 points. His No. 24 jersey was retired on Feb. 22, 1986 during his senior season, when he was named national player of the year for averaging 20.2 points per game as Duke won the ACC championship and made its first Final Four under coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Stanford’s head coach from 2008-16, Dawkins his beginning his 10th season coaching UCF. The Knights have posted four consecutive winning seasons, including 20-17 last season, but haven’t played in the NCAA Tournament since 2019 when Duke knocked them out in the second round.
“It’s always special going back to Duke — it’s a place that shaped so much of who I am, both as a player and a person,” Dawkins said in a statement. “To have the opportunity to bring our UCF team there, to compete in that environment and be part of something meaningful, is an honor. It’s not just about basketball — it’s about giving back to the game and continuing the relationships that helped build my foundation.”
Ticket details, as well as a starting time and television coverage plans, have yet to be finalized.
This story was originally published July 17, 2025 at 9:05 AM.